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Croatia's Gambling Reforms Face EU Legal Scrutiny Over Transparency Failures

A clash over unchecked reforms pits Croatia against the EU. Industry groups warn of unfair advantages—and Brussels is now listening.

,   and  Administrator
2 min read
The image shows a map of Croatia with the European Union flag overlaid on top. The map is animated,...
The image shows a map of Croatia with the European Union flag overlaid on top. The map is animated, with the stars of the flag clearly visible.

Croatia's recent gambling reforms have sparked controversy after the government failed to notify the European Commission of key changes. Industry groups now claim the new rules breach EU law and unfairly reshape the market. The European Commission has already launched an infringement procedure over the lack of transparency.

The Croatian government introduced sweeping gambling reforms without informing the European Commission through the TRIS notification system. These changes include mandatory player ID checks, strict venue layout rules, a full ban on online and social media gambling ads, and a central self-exclusion register. The reforms also target unlicensed online operators and anonymous retail gambling.

In response, EUROMAT, the European gaming machine association, filed a formal complaint with the Commission. President Jason Frost argued that the complaint highlights potential EU law violations. The group claims Croatia's failure to notify the changes undermines legal certainty for businesses across Europe. Meanwhile, HUPIS, Croatia's gaming association, accused the government of sidelining stakeholders and EU institutions. The European Commission had already taken action before EUROMAT's complaint. On 20 July 2023, it sent Croatia a formal notice for bypassing the TRIS system, as required under Directive (EU) 2015/1535. As of April 2026, no further steps, such as a reasoned opinion, have been made public. The Commission will now review EUROMAT's evidence before deciding whether to escalate the case. HUPIS has urged the Commission to intervene, stressing the need for fair market conditions and rule of law. EUROMAT echoed this, warning that the reforms unfairly advantage certain gambling sectors while disrupting service provision in Croatia's market.

The Commission's next moves will determine whether Croatia faces further legal action over its gambling reforms. The complaint from EUROMAT adds pressure, with both industry groups and EU officials now scrutinising the changes. For now, the infringement procedure remains open, leaving the future of Croatia's gambling laws uncertain.

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